Why Stay on One Maldives Island When You Can Experience Two?

The hardest part of booking a Maldives holiday can sometimes be choosing the resort.

There are so many beautiful islands, each offering something slightly different, so why choose just one? On this trip, we decided not to. We spent three nights at Velassaru before heading north to Dhigali, giving us the chance to experience two very different sides of the Maldives in one holiday.

And we also discovered a little trick for making that famous overwater villa experience more affordable. We started our trip at Velassaru, arriving by speedboat from Malé which took just 25 minutes, perfect after a long flight. The journey is easy and, for me, one of the big advantages of Velassaru is that you don’t need a seaplane to get there.

We stayed in a Beach Villa, which was beautiful and just steps from the sand. Velassaru is a relatively small island and you can walk around the whole island in around 20 minutes, which gives it a very relaxed and intimate feel. There is plenty to do if you want it, but equally, you can simply slow down and enjoy the beach, the sunshine and the beautiful turquoise water. For me, Velassaru felt particularly suited to couples and honeymooners. There isn’t a kids’ club or lots of family entertainment, so the atmosphere is very low key and romantic.

With five restaurants to choose from, we ate extremely well during our stay. Sora was a particular favourite, while the overwater Japanese Teppanyaki was a real treat. We even got to see some sharks swimming underneath us.

We also enjoyed sunset yoga, which was the perfect way to end the day.

Another highlight was the spa, which sits beautifully over the water. It is one of those places where even getting to your treatment feels like part of the experience. Velassaru really delivered that classic Maldives feeling: beautiful beaches, fabulous food, a gorgeous spa and a peaceful, grown-up atmosphere.

After three nights at Velassaru, we headed back to Malé before taking a seaplane to Dhigali. If you’ve never experienced a Maldives seaplane before, the journey is an experience in itself. Flying over the islands gives you an incredible view of the tiny atolls and turquoise lagoons scattered across the Indian Ocean. It is one of those journeys where you spend most of the flight looking out of the window.

And one thing I particularly noticed throughout our trip was how well everything was organised. We were met and greeted at every stage, so there was never any worrying about where we needed to go or how we were going to find the next transfer. Once you arrive in the Maldives, the whole process feels very seamless.

Arriving at Dhigali felt completely different.

Dhigali is a much larger island and has a more energetic feel, with plenty going on throughout the day. Rather than walking everywhere, there are island shuttles running around the resort every 20 minutes. You can even track them in real time on the resort app, which is a very useful little touch.

There is a fantastic spa, several restaurants and lots of activities, so it is a resort where you can be as active or relaxed as you want.

One of our favourite restaurants was Battuta, an Asian and Middle Eastern fusion restaurant in an incredible setting. I also loved the Birds Nest bar, which is a really cool place to head for a sunset drink.

For families, Dhigali has a completely different proposition to Velassaru.

There is a fantastic kids’ club, movies under the stars and plenty to keep children entertained, making it a great option if you want a Maldives holiday that works for the whole family. There is also an underwater submarine experience, which is a brilliant option for anyone who isn’t comfortable snorkelling but still wants to see the incredible marine life beneath the surface.

One of the things we really wanted to experience was staying in a water villa. But we didn’t necessarily want to spend the entire holiday paying the premium that comes with one. So at Dhigali, we split our stay between a Beach Villa and a Water Villa. This meant we got to experience both. We started in a Beach Villa and then moved into our Water Villa for the final part of our stay.

And the best thing? We didn’t have to do a thing. While we were enjoying a couples massage at the incredible spa, the Dhigali team moved our luggage for us. When we finished our treatment, everything was ready for us in our new villa. It was the best of both worlds. We had the convenience of being right on the beach for part of our stay and then got that unforgettable Maldives experience of stepping out over the water for the final part.

If you have always dreamed of staying in a water villa but are trying to keep the overall cost of a Maldives holiday under control, this is definitely something I’d consider.

The great thing is that I wouldn’t really compare Velassaru and Dhigali as better or worse. They are sister hotels both with an excellent premium all inclusive offering with a generous mini bar so you can eat and drink as you please without worrying about the bill. 

I’d choose Velassaru if you are looking for a smaller, more intimate island with a peaceful atmosphere, fabulous restaurants and a strong couples and honeymoon feel.

I’d choose Dhigali if you want a larger island, more activities, family facilities and plenty of choice throughout your stay. Or, if your budget allows, why not experience both? That was what I loved most about this trip. It didn’t feel like we were having the same holiday twice. We experienced two completely different islands, different restaurants, different atmospheres and even two different ways of getting around.

And by splitting our Dhigali stay between a Beach Villa and a Water Villa, we got to experience both without paying the water villa premium for the entire stay.  Looking at Speedboat transfer options close to Male are also a fantastic way of keeping costs down, a Seaplane transfer can cost about $500 per person (although I always have my eyes on special offers to get these discounted) so for a family this can quickly add up.

Would I do a Maldives twin centre again? Absolutely. The Maldives is often thought of as a destination where you simply arrive at one beautiful island and stay there for a week or two. But combining two resorts can give you much more variety, particularly if you choose two islands with very different personalities.

And you don’t have to worry about the logistics. With the resorts taking care of the transfers and luggage, moving between islands can be surprisingly easy.

What I have learned from experiencing different Maldives resorts is that there really isn’t one “best” Maldives resort.

There is the best resort for you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon, a relaxing escape, a family holiday or simply somewhere beautiful where you can switch off completely, choosing the right island makes all the difference.

If you’re considering the Maldives and can’t decide where to stay, I’d be very happy to help you find the right island  or even combine two.